In photos: Sewage muddies several houses

An 8-inch sewage line breaks, spewing sewage into several Baltimore homes, leaving homeowners with a smelly mess.

2 of 25

Baltimore City Department of Public Works spokesman Kurt Kocher told 11 News says it was determined late in the evening that fault lies with the city.

3 of 25

The cause of the backup in the 3700 block of Brooklyn Avenue was not immediately known.

4 of 25

5 of 25

"In the bathroom, it exploded out of the toilet," one resident said.

6 of 25

When Lorretta Jefferson called the city, it sent her a claim form.

7 of 25

"Like something out of a horror flick, this black fecal garbage started spewing out of the toilet, and I had to run to get away from it," Jefferson said. "So, now I've got, like, 4 to 6 inches of poop in my basement."

8 of 25

The overflow damaged furniture and other possessions, prompting several residents to call their insurance companies.

Advertisement

9 of 25

Baltimore City Department of Public Works officials said crews will respond within 24 hours, but Johnson said she was told it would take 24 hours for a crew to respond. DPW said that would be the worst-case scenario.

10 of 25

"It's very frustrating, because, if you go in any of our houses, all of our houses smell terrible, and we have to sleep in there tonight," said Annette Raeke, a resident.

11 of 25

"I was told that the neighbors are throwing rags in the sewer and that's what's causing the problem. Then, I was told they were pulling grease out of the sewer, lines. They said people throw trash down the sewer and that's what's causing the problem. I don't know what the truth is," Johnson said.

12 of 25

DPW officials said its crews are unable to remove damaged furniture or drywall from people's homes.

13 of 25

"I'm sorry I live here. This has happened before, and the city always denies ... that it's their problem," Johnson said.

14 of 25

15 of 25

"It's like a cesspool. It's like living at the dump, the city dump. I mean, the mayor wants everybody to live in Baltimore City -- 'Baltimore City's a good place to live. We have this, we have that.' OK, help the people that live here so they stay here," Raeke said.

An 8-inch sewage line breaks, spewing sewage into several Baltimore homes, leaving homeowners with a smelly mess.

Baltimore City Department of Public Works spokesman Kurt Kocher told 11 News says it was determined late in the evening that fault lies with the city.

The cause of the backup in the 3700 block of Brooklyn Avenue was not immediately known.

"In the bathroom, it exploded out of the toilet," one resident said.

When Lorretta Jefferson called the city, it sent her a claim form.

"Like something out of a horror flick, this black fecal garbage started spewing out of the toilet, and I had to run to get away from it," Jefferson said. "So, now I've got, like, 4 to 6 inches of poop in my basement."

The overflow damaged furniture and other possessions, prompting several residents to call their insurance companies.

Baltimore City Department of Public Works officials said crews will respond within 24 hours, but Johnson said she was told it would take 24 hours for a crew to respond. DPW said that would be the worst-case scenario.

"It's very frustrating, because, if you go in any of our houses, all of our houses smell terrible, and we have to sleep in there tonight," said Annette Raeke, a resident.

"I was told that the neighbors are throwing rags in the sewer and that's what's causing the problem. Then, I was told they were pulling grease out of the sewer, lines. They said people throw trash down the sewer and that's what's causing the problem. I don't know what the truth is," Johnson said.

DPW officials said its crews are unable to remove damaged furniture or drywall from people's homes.

"I'm sorry I live here. This has happened before, and the city always denies ... that it's their problem," Johnson said.

"It's like a cesspool. It's like living at the dump, the city dump. I mean, the mayor wants everybody to live in Baltimore City -- 'Baltimore City's a good place to live. We have this, we have that.' OK, help the people that live here so they stay here," Raeke said.

An 8-inch sewage line breaks, spewing sewage into several Baltimore homes, leaving homeowners with a smelly mess.

Baltimore City Department of Public Works spokesman Kurt Kocher told 11 News says it was determined late in the evening that fault lies with the city.

The cause of the backup in the 3700 block of Brooklyn Avenue was not immediately known.

"In the bathroom, it exploded out of the toilet," one resident said.

When Lorretta Jefferson called the city, it sent her a claim form.

"Like something out of a horror flick, this black fecal garbage started spewing out of the toilet, and I had to run to get away from it," Jefferson said. "So, now I've got, like, 4 to 6 inches of poop in my basement."

The overflow damaged furniture and other possessions, prompting several residents to call their insurance companies.

Baltimore City Department of Public Works officials said crews will respond within 24 hours, but Johnson said she was told it would take 24 hours for a crew to respond. DPW said that would be the worst-case scenario.

"It's very frustrating, because, if you go in any of our houses, all of our houses smell terrible, and we have to sleep in there tonight," said Annette Raeke, a resident.

"I was told that the neighbors are throwing rags in the sewer and that's what's causing the problem. Then, I was told they were pulling grease out of the sewer, lines. They said people throw trash down the sewer and that's what's causing the problem. I don't know what the truth is," Johnson said.

DPW officials said its crews are unable to remove damaged furniture or drywall from people's homes.

"I'm sorry I live here. This has happened before, and the city always denies ... that it's their problem," Johnson said.

"It's like a cesspool. It's like living at the dump, the city dump. I mean, the mayor wants everybody to live in Baltimore City -- 'Baltimore City's a good place to live. We have this, we have that.' OK, help the people that live here so they stay here," Raeke said.